Plumb-level.



. Patented oct. 3|, |899. J. J. JORDAN & c. L. WALLACE.

PLUMB LEVEL.

IIIII j; IIIIIII. lill-lll! Nrrn STATES JOHN J. JORDAN AND CLIFFORD L. WALLACE, OF KYLE, TEXAS.

PLUlVlB-LEVEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,782, dated ottoiter 31, 1899. Application filed .T uly 25, 1899. Serial No. 725,045. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN J. JORDAN and CLIFFORD LWALLAGE, citizens of the United States, residing at Kyle, in the county of Hays and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Level, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to levels of that class embodying a pivoted index-finger operating in conjunction with a graduated dial, and has for its object to provide certain new and useful improvements in the mounting of the index-finger, so as to provide for a quick and accurate operation of the finger, and also to permit of any edge of the level being used and at the saine time having the index-finger in convenient sight of the operator.l

To these ends the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings,and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of the stock of a level having the indicating mechanism thereof constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View thereof.

Corresponding parts in both figures of the drawings are designated by like characters of reference.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, l designates a portion of the stock of the level, which is provided in one face with a socket or recess 2, having an inner annular shoulder 3 located at the back of the recess. Fitted Hush against the outer face of the shoulder 3 is a circular plate 4, forming a dial, which is spaced away from the back of the recess and forms therewith a chamber or compartment 5. Formed centrally through the dial 4 is an opening 6, and located centrally within the latter is a disk 7, which is supported upon a block or shoulder 8, carried by the back of the socket or recess 2. This block or shoulder may be formed integral with the stock or may be separate and secured thereto by suitable fastening means. It will be noted that the peripheral edges of the disk 7 and the opening 6 in the dial form a curved or'circular slot 9.

The index-finger l0 is preferably flat and pointed at its lower end and provided with a transverse pivot-pin 1l, which projects at one side only of the finger and is located near the upper end thereof. This pivot-pin is fixed to the finger and carries at its outer end a looselymounted wheel l2, having a V- shaped groove formed in the peripheral edge thereof. As best shown in Fig. 2, it will be seen that this wheel is mounted in the circular slot 9, having its groove fitting the beveled edges of the disk 7 and the opening 6 in the dial-plate, thereby preventing accidental lateral displacement of the wheel and the index-fin ger. In order to facilitate the positioning of the wheel l2, the disk '7 is formed separate from the block or shoulder S and connected therewith by means of a suitable fastening 13, so that the wheel may be readily positioned and also removed when desired.

It will be understood that the wheel l2 is loosely mounted within the slot 9, so that said wheel may revolve within the slot and travel upon the edges thereof in order that the index-finger may normally remain at the lowest point of the slot; also, the linger being xed to the pivot-pin and the latter turning loosely within the wheel the finger will always remain vertical, and the pointed lower end thereof cooperating with the graduations upon the outer face of the dial will indicate the inclination of the surface to which the level may be applied. It is preferable to employ a circular slot, so that the wheel and the index-finger may travel entirely around the dial, thereby permitting of the use of any edge of the stock, and the index-finger will always be in convenient sight of the operator. Although a circular slot is preferred, it is obvious that a curvedor arcuate slot may be employed without requiring any changes in the construction and arrangement of the index-finger and the wheel or traveling pivot thereof. Fitted to the outer side of the socket or recess 2 is a glass cover 14., protecting the operating parts of the level and yet exposing the same to view. The stock of the level is also provided in one edge with a suitable com- ICO pass 15, Which especially adapts the present invention for use in surveying.

From the foregoing description it Will be apparent that the index-finger is adapted to move quickly and positively indicate the inclination of the level, and, furthermore, is capable of traveling entirely around the dialfaee, so as to effectively indicate in Whatever position the stock of the level may be placed.

What We claim isl. A level, comprising a stock having a socket or recess formed therein, a dial-plate fitted in the recess, spaced in front of the back thereof, and provided with a central opening, a block or shoulder provided upon the back of the recess and located centrally thereof, a disk fitted to the outer end of the block or shoulder, received Within the central opening of the dial-plate, and forming a circular slot therewith, and an index-finger having a traveling pivot received Within said slot and engaging the opposite edges thereof to prevent accidental lateral displacement of the pivot, substantially in the manner shown and described.

2. A level, comprising a stock having a socket or recess formed therein, a dial-plate fitted in the recess, spaced in front of the back thereof, and provided With a central opening having a beveled circumferential edge, a block or shoulder provided upon the back of the recess and located centrally thereof, a disk having a beveled peripheral edge, fitted to the outer end of the block or shoulder, received Within the central opening of the dial-plate, and forming a circular slot therewith, and an index-finger having a laterally extending pivot pin, and a Wheel loosely mounted upon the outer end of the pivot-pin, and provided with a grooved periphery, said wheel traveling in the slot formed in the dial-plate, and having its grooved periphery fitting the beveled edges of said slot so as to prevent lateral displacement of the Wheel, substantially in the manner shown and described.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN J.. JGRDAN. Y CLIFFORD L. VALLACE; Vituesses:

W. J. SCHAEFER, E. C. SLoAN. 

